(Not) Just Another Game: Demichelis Back in Munich

For Martin Demichelis, Saturday’s match against FC Bayern Munich (6:30 p.m./Sky) is not just another game, even if the coach of Bundesliga club RB Leipzig would like it to be. Twelve years on the Isar had a profound impact on Demichelis as a person; his first son was born in the Bavarian capital. And the Allianz Arena, as well as the Bayern Campus—where he enjoyed success as a player and youth coach—still feel, in a way, like a second home.

However, “Micho” doesn’t want his competitive debut in Munich as the coach of an opposing team to be reduced to a personal matter. “It’s always special to come back to Munich. But the people who know me really well know that I’m fully committed to RB Leipzig. I want to come to Munich to be successful. Of course, I’ll see many familiar faces, but I’m fully focused on my job,” said the Argentine.

Demichelis is happy in Leipzig

Demichelis has now settled in Leipzig. After three months in Saxony, he says he feels happy. “I’m proud; I’m getting to know more and more people at the club, the players, and the city. I’ve found an apartment. I like the pressure from the media, the fans, and the club,” said Demichelis.

He’s now learned to deal with the mentality of eastern Germany and knows that more is expected of him than just winning home games. The fact that he was already under particularly critical scrutiny following the two away losses in Bremen and Leverkusen served as additional motivation for the 45-year-old, who is accustomed to success. And he demonstrated his leadership qualities and strategic skills. When the team had to deliver against Frankfurt (6–0) and in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven (1–0), he had the right touch—both in terms of personnel and tactics. The “Demichelis system” became evident and proved successful, even if not everything went smoothly.

Demichelis believes in his system

The RB coach is sticking to his approach of conveying his ideas to his players in a way that allows them to implement them as successfully as possible against any opponent—whether that opponent is Munich, Madrid, or Mönchengladbach. “We have to try to make fewer mistakes than our opponent. We have to be aggressive when defending, and we have to be convincing. With these two wins, we’ve taken a step forward in our morale, our philosophy, and our principles. That’s enough, at least, to head to Munich with confidence,” said the Leipzig coach, who had never before—at least publicly—come across as so self-assured.

It remains to be seen what impact this will have on his players. Demichelis will stick to his style of play even in Munich. He knows this also carries risks. But just as he took the risk of coming to Leipzig after a successful RB season under his predecessor Ole Werner, he also seeks out risk on the field. “Being under pressure is the best feeling in sports. You have to take the positive aspects of that pressure and use them to make the most of it with a higher level of professionalism.”

Kompany Shows Great Respect

His Bavarian coaching colleague Vincent Kompany certainly has high hopes for him. “He won the title in Argentina. That’s no easy feat. I also watched Mallorca’s games—around the time of our matches against Real, they beat Madrid. The team’s foundation was solid. Leipzig is a stable team, a stable club; if you work consistently there, you’ll eventually make your breakthrough in Europe, too.”